American steeplechase fans get their moment in the sun – well, maybe rain; let’s hope not rain – at Saturday’s Far Hills Races in Far Hills, N.J. Held for the 102nd time, the races occupy a unique spot in local culture as THE can’t-miss fall event while at the same time standing atop the National … Read more
How was your fall break? American jump racing took a week off last week, we saw some jockeys in line for pit beef sandwiches at Timonium, but gets back on the proverbial horse in two locales Saturday. Stately Glenwood Park hosts the Virginia Fall Races for an eight-race card of hurdle, timber and flat races … Read more
Where did summer go? The autumn steeplechase season is back and we’re back with picks and previews from Shawan Downs Saturday and Foxfield Sunday. If you were keeping score this spring, Joe got the case of New England IPA. Slate’s clean for the fall. Play ball. The Legacy Chase at Shawan Downs. Hunt Valley, Md. … Read more
The Bensalem skies were gray, and the cold winds blew late Saturday afternoon at Parx Racing. An all-day rain had given way to a misty air over the track, threatening to put a pall over the biggest day of racing on the Pennsylvania calendar. However, inside the paddock, it was all sunshine and rainbows when … Read more
Jessica Paquette has weathered plenty in her almost year on the job at Parx Racing. She’s handled the ups and downs, learning the craft as the track announcer at the suburban Philadelphia racetrack that Saturday’s Grade 1, $1 million betPARX Pennsylvania Derby and strong supporting card. Now she’s ready for another type of weather when … Read more
Brad Cox watched Saudi Crown finish second by the slimmest of margins in the Grade 3 Dwyer Stakes July 1 at Belmont Park – he still cringes at bit thinking about the replay – and started thinking about September in Philadelphia. “I love how he’s doing,” Cox said Thursday morning from Kentucky, two days before … Read more
Here and gone in the blink of an eye. While it’s not a totally accurate statement summarizing the last few months that included a turbulent and trying Saratoga Race Course meeting, looking back now almost two weeks removed from Closing Day it did seem to go by in a flash. The Saratoga Special office on … Read more
Down to one. That’s all that remains of the 2023 Saratoga Race Course meeting – one more racing day and one more chance for a big day at the greatest place on earth. Monday’s 11-race Labor Day card features a pair of stakes, including a strong renewal of the Grade 1 Hopeful for 2-year-olds. A … Read more
Here we are, all down to the final two acts of the Saratoga Race Course meeting. Weeks and months of anticipation, then the rush of it all in July and August before the fleeting feelings of September and closing weekend. Sunday’s card almost brings the stand to a close with a 10-race card topped by … Read more
Finish Line. The Special wraps up its 2023 season with our final big Saturday edition. We preview the Jockey Club Gold Cup, Flower Bowl, Prioress and Harvey Pack (about time he got a race) plus cover Wednesday, Thursday, Friday racing and take one of our favorite Fasig-Tipton Stable Tours of the season with Hall of … Read more
